Ventilator



April 30, 1957 T. E. Hr-:ss 2,790,373

' VENTILATOR Filed Aug. 25. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

Turner E. 'Hess IN VEN TOR.

BY ma;

T. E. HESS VENTILATOR April 30, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m, ww r e n.

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PnPbrn 44444 d 4341.134444.. 44 QAPE im? r r lwzbhf Filed Aug. 25, 1953 United This invention relates to a ventilator and more speciiically provides a ventilator having a plurality of shutters for use in a window opening'which is automatically open and closed during a rain. Y

An object of this invention is to provide a ventilator for use in a window opening wherein the shutters of such a ventilator will be normally held in an open position and in the event Yof rain will'be automatically closed and as the blowing rain subsides Vthe shutters will be automatically opened thereby affording a house with proper ventilation. Y K r Y Another object of this invention is to provide a ventilator having automatic shutters with a y screen incorporated therewith to prevent the entry of flies or other insects to the interior of the house while the shutters are open.

An important object of this invention is to provide a ventilator having a plurality of automatic shutters wherein all the shutters are interconnected for simultaneous operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a ventilator which may be adjusted for various size window openings.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a ventilator which is simple in construction and operation, lends itself to inexpensive manufacture, and requires a minimum of service and upkeep.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a ventilator which may be used in many types of window openings presently existing in buildings without extensive alteration to the ventilator structure or the window opening structure.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompauying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a perspective view showing a ventilator of this invention inserted in a window with the shutters of the ventilator in open position;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken substantially along the center line of the ventilator of Figure l showing details of the shutter structure and the shutter interconnecting means;

Figure 3 is a transverse, section view taken substantially along section line 3-3 in Figure 2 and showing details of the shutter operating means as well as the water retaining trough, and

Figure 4 is a perspective detail showing one of the shutters alone with the general relationship of the water retaining trough to the shutter shown.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that the numeral generally designates a window opening having a sill 12 and a ventilator 14 which comprises this invention.

The ventilator 14 has a pair of horizontal members 16 and a pair of side members 1S joined together forming Patent 'ice a frame. As best seen inFigure 2 it will'be seen thatY a plurality of shutters 20 are pivoted between the side members 18 by the use of pivot pins 22 which project outwardly from one edge of the shutter 20. As best seen in Figures 2 and 3 the uppermost of shutters 20 is provided with a projecting pin 22 which has a drum 24 mounted thereon which has a cable 26 Wound thereabout and extending downwardly therefrom. Adjacent ,the lower end of the side frame 18 is an apertured projecting lug 28 receiving a threaded eye member 30 and being engaged by a thumb nut 32 which is secured to the threaded eye 30. It will be noted that lug 28 is struck inwardly from the side frame 18 thereby-providing an? access opening for adjusting thumb nut 32. 'A tension spring 34 is secured to eye 'member`30 atone end kand atV its other end is secured to the lower end of cable 26 for` a purpose hereinafter described.

VStill looking at Figure 2 it will be seen thatithe Vouter edges Vof Ythe shutters 20 are each providedwith a project-` ing hook member 36 which is engaged by a bar 38 having a plurality of hook receivingY apertures 40 thereby interconnecting the edges ofthe shutters 20for'simultai1eous movement.

extends completely across the shutters 20 and the end portions of the trough member 42 is closed by a closure member 44. As best seen in Figure l the trough members 42 are provided with weep holes or apertures 46 on the upwardly extending portion and it will be noted that the apertures 46 are smaller in the upper shutters 20 and larger in the lower shutters for a purpose described hereinafter.

Now referring to Figure 3 it will be seen that the side frame members 18 are of a substantially hollow box shape wherein the side webs 48 are adjustable to fit various sizes and styles of window frames and casings.

The operation of the device will be readily understood.

The ventilator 14 is placed and secured in a desirable window opening along with screen member 50 which is secured to the inner surface of the frame members 16 and 18. The shutters 20 are urged about their pivot pin 22 by the action of the tension spring 34 tending to unroll the cable 26 from the cable drum 24 thereby urging the upper shutter 20 about its pivot pin 22 and the connecting bar 38 necessarily urges the lower shutters 20 about their respective pivot pins 22. As clearly seen the tension of spring 34 may be adjusted by turning thumb nut 32 as desired. In the event of rain and a sudden storm when no one is at home the rain falling downwardly or blowing inwardly will strike the upper downwardly inclined surface of the open shutter 20 and the rain will naturally flow downwardly and outwardly into the trough members 42 where it is retained until enough water is in trough members 42 to overcome the tension of spring 34 and pivoting the shutters 20 about their respective pivot pins 22 into a closed position. After the shutters 20 have reached a closed nearly vertical position as shown in phantom in Figure 2 and when the blowing type rain ceases the water will run slowly out of the weep holes 46 and when the water runs completely out or substantially completely out the tension of spring 34 will again urge the shutters about their respective pivot pins 22 into an open position. The Weep holes 46 are smaller in the upper shutters and get progressively larger in the lower shutters as normallyV more rain will hit the lower shutters and in order for all of the rain to be discharged at approximately the same time the size of these holes is so arranged. This automatic ventilator provides fresh air to the interior of a building without any danger of a sudden storm damaging the interior of a building while Now looking at; Figures t2 and 4 'it will beVA seen that the outeredgeofithe shutters' 20; isupturned andv then returned 4forming a trough j 'member 424 which;

the occupants are elsewhere or busy doing something else.`

The ventilator of this invention may be made of any suitable light gauge metal such as aluminum, stainless steel orthe like. As obviously seen from the drawings there is a minimum of moving part-s which lends itself to ease of operation and manufacture as well as a minimum of service and repair. Obviously, this ventilator may be used and adapted for use -in any type window casing or opening and not necessarily in the overlapping type as Ashown in vthis specific embodiment.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the `device will be readily understood and `further explanation is believed to be.V unnecessary. However, since numerous modications and changes v-will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents, mayv be resorted to, falling within the scope ofy the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A ventilator comprising a hollow adjustable frame, means for varying the size of said adjustable frame whereby said frame is adapted to be tted in a window opening, a plurality of shutters, pins pivotally mounting said shutters in said frame, an extension of one of the pins forming the pivotal mounting of one of said shutters, a drum mounted on said extension, said drum being disposed in said 'hollow frame, a exible member -wound about said drum, a tension spring anchored to said hollow -frame disposed in said hollow frame, said flexible member being secured to said spring, each of said shutters having an upturned trough on the edge thereof remote from said pivotal mounting, said troughs extending completely across said shutter and having their end portions closed forming a water holding receptacle on each shutter, said shutters being interconnected by a bar pivotally connected to each of said troughs, ksaid spring urging said iiexible member to rotate said drum to move said shutters to an open position, water in said 4trough overcoming the force exerted by said spring, and means insaid troughs for discharging water at a controlled rate when the shutters are in a closed vposition thereby permitting the shutters to be returned to an open position by said spring.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED .STATES PATENTS 1,609,219 Stowers Nov. 30, 19,26 1,627,580 Stowers May 10, 1927 1,791,151 Tarvid Feb. 3, 1931 2,138,427 Payden I. Nov. 29, ,1 938 2,159,696 Gross May 23, 1939 2,203,600 Pusak 1-.. June 4, 19.40 2,528,953 Gzupkaytii Nov. 7, 19,50

Y FCREIGN PATENTS 202,217 Germany Oct. 1, 1908 

